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Tuesday, 31 December 2013

De Padova

At Christmas, Milan’s window displays are even more stunning than usually. This year, three trends emerged from the decked-out windows of the city's most stylish streets, such as Via Montenapoleone and Corso Venezia.

Monday, 30 December 2013

Inspired by the warp and weft of fabric construction, Gianluca Traina printed a series of 3D portraits onto woven paper. Standard portraiture is transformed into a disjointed experience, causing us to question our assumptions: eyes and ears move to the back or bottom of the head, while noses protrude out of hair.

Written by Swedish stylist Hans Blomquist with photos by Debi Treloar, The Natural Home guides readers through different ways to bring nature inside, with sections such as Still Life, Texture, Colour, and Plants and Flowers. A final section called Homes presents in-depth case studies of houses and apartments that epitomise the natural ideal.

Monday, 23 December 2013

SwatchMate has created a handheld device that is able to capture an exact colour. Users place the Cube on any coloured surface, where it pairs up with the Bluetooth on a smartphone and records the colour directly into Photoshop. Up to 20 colours can also be stored on the smartphone.

London-based children's rugs company Zugs will launch its first collection in March 2014. Made using 100% pure wool pile, each rug features a colourful character - there are eight designs in the range.

Friday, 20 December 2013

Traditional artisan construction methods and wood inlay techniques are used to introduce exquisite detailing and pattern. Paddles are made with a combination of wood varieties, including Sitka Spruce, Yellow Cedar, Mahogany, Black Walnut and Douglas Fir.

French interior designer Vincent Darré has created a capsule collection for historic textile company Pierre Frey, in line with his detailed, whimsical style. Each of the six patterns developed, three of which were based on designs from Pierre Frey's extensive archives, are printed on cotton, with a distinct mid-century aesthetic.

Vico Magistretti's classic 1960s Dalù lamp has been relaunched in hundreds of versions over the last ten years. This Christmas, it comes glittered and scented. It is available in four fragrances: cinnamon to boost energy levels, jasmine to stimulate creativity, lavender to help relaxation and eucalyptus to encourage harmony.

Homebuildlife subscribers can read more on innovations in scented projects here.

Segno Italiano, the company that endorses high-quality Italian artisan products internationally, is currently staging an exhibition of ceramic works by Paolo Polloniato at its Milanese showroom (Via Palermo, 8).

Called Theatres Of The Contemporary Art, the show tells the story of our time through the artisanal technique of ceramics - and is an example of the trend towards elevated storage that emerged at Maison & Objet this season.

Wednesday, 18 December 2013

Montauk from Calvin Klein Home spring/summer 2014 collection

Calvin Klein Home's spring/summer 2014 collection includes Montauk, a crafted geometric design in indigo and white with accents of red; and Falcon, a menswear-inspired printed sateen woven in earthy tones such as pumice and charcoal.

José Lévy has designed two limited edition candles to celebrate the opening of Diptyque's first store in Tokyo. Called Tokyo and Paris, the candles are inspired by the greenery found at the heart of both cities.

Tuesday, 17 December 2013

New subscription gift service Shaken delivers the ingredients and recipes for a different cocktail each month, selected by renowned mixologists. Tying into the trend for experience gifting and discovery kits, the service includes the supplies for at least four servings and is priced at £29 a month plus postage.

Currently on show at the Pérez Art Museum in Miami, Wake and Wonder by Texas-based artist Adrian Esparza is made from a traditional serape blanket from Mexico, which has been pulled apart at its threads and woven back around nails hammered into the wall.

Friday, 13 December 2013

Tyler Stout's 2014 Lunar Calendar showcases each of the 365 moon phases of the year. Made using letterpress printing and archival quality paper, and printed with glow-in-the-dark moons, the unusual calendar ties into the increasing popularity of letterpress across typography and graphics.

Eric Jourdan has designed a baby rocker for French kids' brand Beaba. Suitable for children from birth up to 30kg, the soft form features a bright yellow stripe and is designed to match easily with grown-up furniture in its style.

Wednesday, 11 December 2013

Inspired by vintage style in New York City, Lord & Taylor's windows depict a traditional Holiday scene, created with 2D drawings and small figurines. The story starts with city residents preparing for the Holidays with festive décor and moves into a scene from Lord & Taylor, where customers are shopping for gifts from overflowing shelves.

Made using the same technology as motorcycle helmet visors, the Moto lamp by Jean-Baptiste Fastrez is made of translucent acrylic with an iridescent finish. When lit from behind it casts a kaleidoscope-like display of coloured shadows.

Homebuildlife subscribers can find out more about using iridescence to create a sense of wonder in products in our trend report on Changing Surfaces and our retail report on Moritz Waldemeyer's Winter Wonder installation for La Rinascente in Milan.

Tuesday, 10 December 2013

In its 20th birthday year, British retailer Cath Kidston has opened its largest store yet at 180 Piccadilly. To celebrate the opening, eight London taxis covered in Cath Kidston prints burst out of giant Christmas presents at Marble Arch, and carol singers and snow machines entertained passers-by as the taxis travelled down Oxford Street to the new 7,070sq ft flagship.

It has become a tradition for La Rinascente to celebrate Christmas by giving the city an artistic installation; and this year, the Milan department store has entrusted its windows to designer Moritz Waldemeyer.

WinterWonder is his interpretation of the classic iconography of Christmas: a vortex of 1,300 laser-cut plastic snowflakes that soar beyond the confines of the windows into the entire portico.

Friday, 6 December 2013

Dutch design studio Droog has installed a holographic projection of a Christmas tree in Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum. The tree's shape and colours shift continuously, ranging from blue to green and adding in star ornaments and rippling branches.

As well as checking in with us here, on Facebook, Tumblr and Twitter, you can now follow Homebuildlife on Instagram! We will be posting inspiring images from events, trade shows, exhibitons, collection launches and interiors shops.

Pantone 18-3224 Radiant Orchid has been named Pantone Colour of the Year for 2014. Following on from Emerald in 2013, Tangerine Tango in 2012 and Honeysuckle in 2011, Radiant Orchid "reaches across the colour wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination," says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

Wednesday, 4 December 2013

Lee Broom has designed a new bar for Selfridges to celebrate the first anniversary of the department store's Men's Shoe Galleries. Called Mark's Bar and operated by British chef and restaurateur Mark Hix, the space features bespoke furniture by Broom that transforms from a lounge collection into a fully functioning mobile bar.

Libor Sošťák has designed the trophy for the 2013 Statoil Master Tennis, which takes place in London's Royal Albert Hall this week. Produced by glass specialist Lasvit, it is made of solid rose rubin extra bright hand-blown glass and draws inspiration from famous traditional tennis trophies.

Lighting sculptor Sylvie Maréchal of Beau & Bien was commissioned by prestigious Parisian hotel Royal Monceau to "decorate" their traditional Christmas tree. In place of it, she created a light and airy, 3 metre high lighting installation. Hundreds of pieces of porcelain in the shape of birds and stars are suspended in mid-air to form the silhouette of a tree, a poetic and lyrical take on this inescapable Christmas symbol.

Tuesday, 3 December 2013

EPFL+ECAL Lab invited four of the world's most prestigious design schools to re-invent the remote control. For once, the main purpose is not just performance and functionality but also the aesthetic and experience of the object.

The projects by ECAL, ENSCI-Les Ateliers, Royal College of Art and Parsons School include concepts such as the combination of hand-writing and digital control, or the transformation of everyday objects into remotes. Most ideas are currently undergoing tests to be turned into marketable products.

It’s already Christmas time in Milan. The Republic of Fritz Hansen store at Corso Garibaldi 77 is presenting its special Christmas Market, an international selection of new brands and young designers with products ready to be this season's must-have gifts.

Monday, 2 December 2013

Designers Quinten Peuling and Wisse Trooster of Studio qoowl have created a clock made from a worn sanding disc and timber, which they're currently raising funds for on crowdfunding platform Crowdy House.

Multidisciplinary creative consultancy Inamatt's studio and private residence in Pingjum, in the north of Holland, is a testament to their style: features like exposed beams and poured concrete floors create a mix of heritage, original features and a modernist, gallery-like mood.